Orissa has a unique distinction of acting as a confluence of many diverse faiths like Brahmanism, Jainism, Vaishnavism, Islam, Christianity, & Nath Dharma. It is here that one can vividly witness how religion has evolved from animism, nature worship, shamanism, ancestor worship & fethism (prevailing among adivasis) to the highly evolved forms of religion like Brahmanism, Hinduism, Buddhism & Jainism, with philosophical systems of a high order to back them up.

The synthesis & harmony of the different forms of Brahminic worship Vaishnavite, Shaivite, Shakta, Ganapatya are all to be found in the great and grand temple of Jagannath or whose origin goes back to the  tribal worship of Wood God. Around him, resolves the entire cultural milieu of Orissa. Religion & culture cannot be separated in a land, which claims to celebrate thirteen festivals in twelve month. The life-giving stream of religion has flowed past the rise and fall of empires, producing and nourishing the sublime virtues of love, tolerates & compassion.

HINDUISM

The Influence of Brahmanism: The religion of Aryans, known as Sanatana Dharma, originated in the vedas & spread to Orissa, which, in due course of time came to be held in high reverence as the land of the Gods or Deva Bhumi. In around 5th century BC, the Nandas stabilized brahminic settlements in the coastal region of the State.

The thirteenth Ashokan edict shows that before the invasion of Kalinga by Ashoka & his conversion to Buddhism, Brahminism had spread swiftly to Orissa. It continued to hold its power till the reign of Kharvela who was a Jain king & had propagated that religion as is seen from the Hatigumpha inscription.

These ancient religions of Orissa, Hinduism, Buddhism & Jainism seems to have co-existed peacefully with varying fortunes. It is interesting to know that the royal ceremonies of Ashoka & Kharvela were performed according to Vedic rites although there were Buddhist & Jain respectively.

The revival of Vedic religion after the waning of Buddhism & Jainism brought in wide assimilative powers for it and as a result Bhagavala, Bagavata, Shaiva, Sakata, Soura religious sects. All unfolded Hinduism & the deities like Vasudeva, Narayana, Shiva, Shakti Surya were included in its pantheon.

Brahminism seems to have flourished in Orissa under the Maratha rulers between the 4th & 5th century AD. The Sailodbhava rukers made arrangements for the study of Vedic wisdom & an Aswamedha sacrifice was performed by Madhav Varman. In the time of Keshari rulers, Shaivism gained importance. Yajati Keshari, to preserve the sancity & purity of Brahminism, brought Aryan Brahmins from Kanauj & settled then in Jajpur, which became a famous site for the performance of ancestral funeral rites.

JAINISM

There are indications that the 23rd Tirthankar, Parsvanath Swami, preached Jainism in Kalinga during the 7th century BC & King Karakanda was converted by him. The king built Karakanda Vihar for the propagation of Jainism and installed the image of second Tirthankar, Ajitnath in it.

The Jain preacher, Mahavira Swami, visited Kalinga to propagate the reformed version of Jainism & installed Vijay Chakra on the Kumari (Udayagiri) Hill, which became a famous pilgrimage centre along with Pithunda Nagar, where the image of Rishabhanath was installed after its consecration.

Jainism seems to have reached its pinnacle during the reign of Emperor Kharvela who made it his state religion. he, after his conquest of Magadha, brought back the Kalinga Jinasana that had been carried away by Mahapadma after his conquest of Orissa three hundred years of prior to his rule.

The Ancient Jain Monasteries: Kharvela'a patronage of Jainism is seen from the beautiful caves that he craved out from the rocks on the Udayagiri were used as places of worship while hose on Udayagiri were used for the accommodation of saints, monks & ascetics. The Hati Gumpha inscription bears testimony to this royal patronage as also to the liberalism of the emperor who, though himself of the Svetambara sect, showed due honour & respect to Digambar sect.

The influence of Jainism on culture can be well imagined from the stress on such virtues as kindness & compassion, charity & service to humanity. This stress enlarged the humane aspects of religion in Kalinga. Jainism declined after the reign of Kharvela. However, there was a short spell of importance during the reign of Murunda rulers in Kalinga, especially under Dharmadamodar.

The historical cum archeological evidence that is available from different parts of the State like Anandpur, Chhatia, Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, Choudwar, Athagarh, Tigiria, Badamba, Banki, & Jajpur, Khiching & its environs Kupari, & Charmpa, Chumsur and Nawrangpur shows that Jainism had a wide influence in such areas. As a result of this interaction, the throne of Jagannatha is probably the one was been taken away by Mahapadmananda & later, restored by Kharvela.